Preparation for the Journey

           GLENARVANneverlostmuchtimebetweenadoptinganideaandcarryingitout.AssoonasheconsentedtoPaganel’sproposition,hegaveimmediateorderstomakearrangementsforthejourneywithaslittledelayaspossible.Thetimeofstartingwasfixedforthe22dofDecember,thenextdaybutone.

           Whatresultsmightnotcomeoutofthisjourney.ThepresenceofHarryGranthadbecomeanindisputablefact,andthechancesoffindinghimhadincreased.Notthatanyoneexpectedtodiscoverthecaptainexactlyonthe37thparallel,whichtheyintendedstrictlytofollow,buttheymightcomeuponhistrack,andatallevents,theyweregoingtotheactualspotwherethewreckhadoccurred.Thatwastheprincipalpoint.

           Besides,ifAyrtonconsentedtojointhemandactastheirguidethroughtheforestsoftheprovinceofVictoriaandrighttotheeasterncoast,theywouldhaveafreshchanceofsuccess.Glenarvanwassensibleofthis,andaskedhishostwhetherhewouldhaveanygreatobjectiontohisaskingAyrtontoaccompanythem,forhefeltparticularlydesirousofsecuringtheassistanceofHarryGrant’soldcompanion.

           PaddyO’Mooreconsented,thoughhewouldregretthelossofhisexcellentservant.

           "Well,then,Ayrton,willyoucomewithusinoursearchexpedition?"

           Ayrtondidnotreplyimmediately.Heevenshowedsignsofhesitation;butatlast,afterduereflection,said,"Yes,myLord,Iwillgowithyou,andifIcannottakeyoutoCaptainGrant,Icanatleasttakeyoutotheveryplacewherehisshipstruck."

           "Thanks,Ayrton."